Fuse device



July 27, 1943. A, G. STEINMAYER 2,325,555

FUSE DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l Q i i 1 as I Z 3 22 2g x L yf y/ z '5 X 25 '1 a "i A9 Q g S as INVfiiJZSR. 6} BY WM ATTORNEY.

July 27, 19 3- A. G. STEINMAYER FUSE DEVIC E Filed Aug. 3, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 27, 1943 UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fuse devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide for an electricaltransmission line a fuse device comprising electrical conductive meansadapted to tensionally support a fuse link therebetween, one of themeans being rigid and the other of the means-being resilient and biasedaway from the one.

Another object is to provide a fuse device having a pair of electricallyconductive means, one being rigid and the other resilient and providedwith a biasing member, each means including link receiving portionsadapted to facilitate ease and speed of fuse link installation andprovide positive alignment of parts after link installation operation.

A further object is to provide a fuse link including a currentresponsive element, a tubular protective member for the element, contactmeans adjacent one end of the member, and a moisture sealing mechanismmounted adjacent the protective member and adapted to seal the memberagainst moisture and dirt.

A still further object is to provide a fuse device comprising a pair ofconductor arms, fuse link holding means associated therewith, and a fuselink including spheroidal contacts, which contacts and holding means areinterrelated in such a manner as to prevent damaging stresses to thelink during and after link installation operation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing theimproved fuse device.

Fig. 2, 3, 4, and are views taken on the lines 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 55respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line 68 of Fig. 3 with a fuse link,fragmentarily shown, mounted therein.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, of the fuselink shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, showing amodification of the fuse link shown in Fig. 7.

Like parts are designated by th same reference numerals throughout theseveral views.

Fig. 1 illustrates the fuse device comprising an insulator support Iprovided at the upper end with a terminal 2 secured thereto by means ofa bolt 3 extending through the insulator with the thread end of the boltin threaded engagement with the terminal at 4. The washer 5 adjacent thehead end of the bolt and the curved base portion 6 of the terminal 2 arecushioned against the insulator by means of the thin gauge, arcuatelycurved, resilient metal members I. It may also be noted that the membersI act to equalize the pressure exerted on the insulator by the bolt 3when the bolt is drawn in holding relation with the terminal 2.

A lower terminal 8 is mounted adjacent the lower end of the support I bymeans of a bolt 9 extending through the aperture ID in th terminal 8 andthrough the insulator where a nut II is threaded thereon at I2 againstthe washer I3. The washer I3 and curved base portion Id of the terminal3 are cushioned by the members It for like reasons heretofore describedwith reference to terminal 2.

Connectors I6 and i1, commonly used in the trade, are mounted on theterminals 2 and 8 respectively, to which line conductors, not shown, maybe attached.

A hanger I8 shown fragmentarily is secured intermediate the ends of thesupport, by means of the strap I 9 and bolts 20. The hanger is adaptedto be connected to a crossarm, not shown, or other suitable supportingmeans.

A rigid conductor arm 2| is threadedly mounted on the bolt 3 adjacentthe terminal 2 and in cludes a casting having a base portion 22,threadedly apertured at 23, from which extends outwardly a pair ofspaced parallel arms 24 converging into a hook-like fuse link holdingmeans 25 extending upwardly at an angle relative to the arms 24.

The fuse-link holding means 25 includes a cone-like contact seat 25 anda fuse link passageway 21 extending rearwardly from the fuse linkreceiving aperture 28.

It may be noted that the conductor arm 2| is held in locked engagementwith the terminal 2 by the rib portions 29 extending into slot 30 on theface of the terminal 2.

A lower conductor arm 3i mounted adjacent the lower terminal 8 comprisesa pair of conducting members 32 and 33 made of resilient wire and eachincluding a coil spring 34 and 35 respectively and a length of wire 36and 31 extending outwardly from the springs 34 and 35 respectively intoa hook-like fuse-link holding means 38 at 39 and 40 where the ends ofthe wire lengths 36 and 3! are secured by indents 4i made in anyconvenient manner as by a punch, not shown. It may be noted that thehook-like fuse-link holding means 38 includes a casting formed in amanner described with reference to the holding means 25 having acone-like contact seat 42 and a fuse-link passageway 43 extendingrearwardly from the fuse-link receiving aperture at.

It may also be noted that the wire members 36 and 37 are prevented fromspreading outward- 1y from each other by means of the clamp 65 lockedinto engagement with the members 36 and 3! at as.

By referring to Figs. 4 and 5 it may be noted that each coil spring 36and 35 extends rear wardly and upwardly into a supporting portion ll and68 respectively and are received in the slot 49A on the terminal 8 wherethey are held therein by means of the bolt 9 against the washer 49.

Fig. 7 illustrates a fuse link adapted for use with the structurehereinbefore described and comprises a fusible section 58 including afusible wire 5i and a strain wire 52, both secured within the tubularand 53 of the anchor pin 5 by flattening at 55. A flexible conductor 56is secured to the lower end of the fusible section by any convenientmeans as solder 5?.

An insulating tubular member 58 is mounted over the fusible section 58and closed at the upper end with a cup-shaped spheroidal contact 59mounted in rigid relationship over the upper end of tubular member 58and the anchor pin 54. A split tool receiving ring 60 is mounted throughan aperture (not shown) on the pin adjacent the spheroidal contact 59and the parts secured together by means of solder E i.

A spring sealing means, indicated generally by the numeral 52, ismounted on the conductor 56 adjacent the lower end of the tubular member58 and includes a tubular sealing means 63 flanged at 6% and providedwith a spring chamber 55 concentric with the conductor 56. A spring asis mounted in the spring chamber 55 and a tubular anchoring element (Bl,including a cup-like portion 68, is mounted on the conductor 55 With thecup-like portion 68 telescopically receiving the spring chamber 55 andcompressing the spring 55 against the sealing means 53 which seals theend of the tube against moisture and dirt by engagement of the flangedportion as with the butt end of the member 58. It i may be noted thatthe anchoring element 6? is secured in locked engagement on theconductor 56 by flattening at 69.

The lower end of the conductor 56 is anchored to a tubular pin 19 in anyconvenient manner as by solder, not shown. A cup-like spheroidal contactii is mounted on the pin 18 and a split too1 receiving ring 72 issecured through an aperture, not shown, on the pin it] and the partssecured together by solder 73.

Fig. 8 shows a method of securing the spheroidal contact iii to theinsulating tubular mem ber 15 by swaging the contact at 76, therebyforcing the lower portion into the groove i? cut as indicated adjacentthe upper end of the member i5. By securing the parts together in thismanner the upper end of the member 15 is permanently closed by thecontact l4 and thereby provides a more positive expulsion action for themember 75 during short-circuit operation.

The fuse link is mounted on the energized fuse structure by insertingthe prong end of an ordinary hot line stick, not shown, in the ring 68and guiding the lower spheroidal contact ll into the fuse link receivingaperture a l through the passageway 43. It may be noted that the lowerconductor arm Si is biased into the position shown by the broken linesin Fig. 1, thereby conveniently locating the fuse-link holding means 38for engagement with the contact H.

The fuse link is raised substantially vertically upwardly and inwardlytoward the arm 2|, against the biasing action of the coil springs 34 and35 until the tubular portion 58 of the link is located within thefuse-link receiving aperture by quickly removing the hook-end of the hotline stick from the ring 68, thereby allowing the cone contact 59 to besnapped by means of the biased conductor arm 3! into electrical contactwith the fuse-link holding means 25.

It may be noted that the relationship between the spheroidal contactsand their corresponding fuse link holding means provides automaticadjustment and alignment between the fuse link and the conductor arms bypermitting a universal-like movement of the spheroidal contacts in theholding means, thereby preventing damaging strains and stresses to theparts during and after fusing operation.

The universal-like movement may be observed by referring to Fig. 6 whichshows the spheroidal contact 7| seated in the cone-like holdin means 38.It may be noted that the contact TI is pivotally seated in the holdingmeans 38. It is further noted that this same pivotally seatedrelationship is provided between the contact 59 and the fuse linkholding means 25, thereby permitting axial alignment of the fuse linkparts relative to each other when mounted in circuit closing position,

When a short circuit occurs in the transmission line including the fusedevice, the fusible section is ruptured and the lower conductor arm isbiased into open circuit position separating the ends of the rupturedfuse section by withdrawing the conductor 58 from the tube 58. The tubeacts as an expulsion cartridge blowing out any are established withinthe tube and the expanding gases within the tube forces the tube andupper contact from the fuse-link holding means 25. Ihe conductor arms 2|and 3| are now cleared of ruptured fuse-link parts. A new link may bemounted in circuit closing position between the arms 2| and 3| in themanner heretofore described.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the objects of thisinvention have been accomplished by providing an improved fuse devicecomprising conductor arms, one being biased relative to the other andeach including fuse link holding means adapted to provide automaticalignment of a fuse link held therebetween and facilitate rapid fuselink installation.

Further objects have been accomplished by providing a fuse link having aspring actuated sealing means.

I claim:

1. In a fuse structure comprising an insulating support and a pair ofterminal arms mounted in spaced relation thereon, one of said arms beingresilient and. biased away from the other of said arms, contacts on saidarms and including a flared opening in each of said contacts, incombination with a fuse link stressed between said contacts andincluding a spheroid-like contact at each end of said link adapted forpivotal engagement with said flared openings.

2. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, conductor armsmounted on said support, one of said arms being resilient and biasedaway from the other of said arms, fuse-link receiving means carried bysaid arms, said means including cone-like contact portions, and a fuselink tensionally mounted between said arms and comprising a fusiblesection, a tubular insulating element surrounding said fusible section,spaced spheroid-like contacts electrically connected with said fusiblesection and adapted'for pivotal engagement with said contact portions,one of said contacts being mounted immediately adjacent one end of saidtubular element, said tubular element preventing arcing between saidcontacts during energized circuit installation of said link.

3. A fuse device comprising aninsulating support, conductor arms mountedon said support, one of said arms being resilient and biased away fromthe other of said arms, fuse-link receiving means carried by said arms,said means including cone-like contact portions, and a fuse linktensionally -mounted between said arms and comprising a fusible section,a tubular insulating element surrounding said fusible section, spacedspheroid-like contacts electrically connected withsaid fusible sectionand adapted for pivotal engagement with said contact portions, one ofsaid contacts being mounted immediately one end of and in rigidrelationship with said tubular element, said tubular element preventingarcing between said contacts during energized circuit installation ofsaid link.

4. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, conductor armsmounted on said support,

one of said arms being resilient and biased away from the other of saidarms, fuse-link receiving means carried by said arms, said meansincluding cone-like contact portions, and a fuse link tensionallymounted between said arms and comprising a fusible section, a tubularinsulating element surrounding said fusible section, spacedspheroid-like contacts electrically connected with said fusible sectionand adapted for pivotal engagement with said contact portions, one ofsaid contacts being mounted immediately one end of and in rigidrelationship with said tubular element, and a sealing means including aflanged sleeve biased into sealing contact with one end of said tubularelement, said tubular element preventing arcing between energized partsduring installation of said fuse link.

5. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, spaced conductor armsmounted on said support, one of said arms being rigid and the other ofsaid arms being resilient and biased for movement away from said rigidarm, fuse-link receiving means carried by said arms, said meansincluding cone-like contact portions, and a fuse link tensionallymounted between said arms and comprising a fusible section, a tubularinsulating element surrounding said fusible section, spacedspheroid-like contacts electrically connected with said fusible sectionand adapted for pivotal engagement with said contact portion.

6. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, spaced conductor armsmounted on said support, one of said arms being rigid and the other ofsaid arms being resilient and biased for movement away from said rigidarm, fuse-link receiving means carried by said arms, said meansincluding cone-like contact portions, and a fuse link tensionallymounted between said arms and comprising a fusible section, a tubularinsulating element surrounding said fusible section, spacedspheroid-like contacts electrically connected with said fusible sectionand adapted for pivotal engagement with said contact portion, one ofsaid contacts being mounted immediately adjacent the one end and inrigid relationship with said tubular element, said tubular elementpreventing arcing between energized parts during installation of saidfuse link,

7. A fuse link comprising a fusible section, an insulating tubesurrounding said section, a flared contact electrically connected withone end of said section and carried by one end of said tube, a flexibleleader electrically connected with the other of said section, and aflared contact on said leader.

8. A fuse link comprising a fusible section, an insulating tubesurrounding said section, a contact electrically connected to one end ofsaid section and rigidly engaging the corresponding end of said tube,said contact flaring in an axial direction relatively away fromsaldtube, a flexible leader electrically connected to the other end of saidsection and extending out of said tube, and a contact on said leaderflaring in an axial direction relatively away from said tube.

9. In a fuse structure comprising an insulating support, spacedconductor arms carried by said support, one of said arms being rigid andthe other of said arms being resilient and biased for movement away fromsaid rigid arm, fuse link receiving means carried by said arms, saidmeans including cone-like contact portions formed to provide a linkreceiving opening thereinto from one side thereof, in combination with afuse link mounted through said opening and between said arms andcomprising a fusible section, a tubular insulating element surroundingsaid fusible section, a flexible leader connected to said section, andspheroid-like contacts electrically connected with said fusible section,one being carried rigidly on one end of said tubular element and theother being carried by said leader, said contacts being adapted forpivotal engagement with said contact portions.

10. In a fuse structure, the combination with a pair of spaced armssupported in insulated relationship, one of said arms being movabletoward the other and biased for movement away from said other arm, of acontact on each of said arms, at least one of said contacts comprising ahooklike contact surface open at one side laterally relative to saidarms, and a fuse link normally holding said movable arm in biasedposition and including spaced contacts engaging the contacts on saidarms, at least one of said spaced contacts on said fuse link beingflared in a direction away from the other of said spaced contacts andnormally wedged in engagement with said hook-like contact surface.

11. In a fuse structure, the combination with a pair of spaced armssupported in insulated relationship, one of said arms being movabletoward the other and biased for movement away from said other arm, of acontact on each of said arms, at least one of said contacts comprising ahook-like contact surface flared in a direction away from the other ofsaid contacts and open at one side thereof, and a fuse link normallyholding said movable arm in biased position and including spacedcontacts engaging the contacts on said arms, at least one of said spacedcontacts on said fuse link being conoidal and engaged with said flaredcontact surface.

12. In a fuse structure, the combination with a pair of spaced armssupported in insulated rela- L asaaese .with one of said fiared'contactsurfaces, the openings in said contact surfaces being adapted to admitportionsof said fuse link for mounting said conoidal contacts on saidflared contact surfaces.

13. In a fuse structure, the combination with a pair of spaced armssupported in insulated relationship, one of said arms being movabletoward the other and biased for movement away from said other arm, of'acontact on each of said arms, at least one of said contacts comprising ahook-like contact surface flared in a direction away from the other ofsaid contacts and open at one side thereof, and a fuse link normallyholding said movable arm in biased position and including a fusiblesection, a tubular insulating element surrounding said fusible section,spaced contacts electrically connected with said fusible section andengagingthe contacts on said arms, one of said spaced contacts beingmounted immediately adjacent one end of said tubular eletact surfacesbeing adapted to admit portions of said fuse link for mounting saidconoidal contacts on said flared contact surfaces.

7 15. Electrical apparatus comprising a circuitprotecting device havinga pair of spaced contact terminals, at least one of which is of the balltype, and a support for said device'including a pair of spaced arms,each anchored at one end only and each having a free end-portion remotefrom its anchorage, at least one of said arms being spring-biased awayfrom the other, said free end-portions being spaced apart and co-relatedto receive and support, conjointly, said cirwit-protecting device andoperative to engage, respectively, the aforesaid contact terminals in amanner efiectiv to apply tension to said device, at least one of saidfree end-portions having a socket-like contact pocket operative toreceive and make contact with said ball-type terminal, and a lateralslot leading into said pocket to provide lateral access thereto for saiddevice, said ball-type terminal and said socket-like contact pocketbeing co-operative in the manner of a ball-and-socket joint.

16. In electrical apparatus, supporting structure for acircuit-protecting device comprising an insulator, a pair of conductivearms each an= chored at one end only to spaced points, respectively,along said insulator and supported therement, at least one of saidspaced contacts on said 30 by, said arms projecting from said insulatorand fuse link being conoidal and engaged with said each having a freeend-portion, said free endfiared contact surface. portions being spacedapart and mutually co- 1%. In a fuse structure, the combination withoperative to support the hereinafter specified a pair of spaced armssupported in insulated recircuit-protecting device, each of said freeendlationship, one of said arms being movable toward 35 portions havinga socket-like contact pocket and the other and biased for'movement awayfrom said other arm, of a hook-like contact on each of said armscomprising a contact surface flared in a direction away from the otherof said contacts and having an opening at one side thereof, and a fuselink normally holding said movable arm in biased position and includinga fusible section, a tubular insulating element surrounding said fusiblesection, spaced conoidal contacts electrically connected with saidfusible section and each positioned in engagement with one of saidflared con-- tact surfaces, one of said spaced conoidal contacts beingmounted immediately adjacent one end of said tubular element, theopenings in said cona slot affording lateral access to said pocket, saidcontact pockets being mutually oriented complementally, and acircuit-protecting device having a pair of spaced ball-type contactterminals, said device being disposed between the free end-pontions ofsaid arms with its said ball-type contact terminals seated in saidcontact pockets, one of said arms being spring-biased away from theother and thereby effective to apply tension to,

said device, each of said contact pockets being cooperative with one ofsaid ball-type contact terminals, individually, in the manner of aball-andsocket joint.

7 ALWIN G. STEINMAYER.

